Carson-Newman's Ken Sparks steps down with 338 career wins

[Volunteer_Kirby]

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. -- Carson-Newman Eagles coach Ken Sparks has retired, ending a 37-season career in which he won 338 games to rank fifth on the NCAA's all-time list.

"It's been an unbelievable journey,'' Sparks said Monday during a news conference at the athletic complex that has been named after him.

The only coaches with more career wins are John Gagliardi (489), Joe Paterno (409), Eddie Robinson (408) and Bobby Bowden (377). Sparks went 338-99-2 and had the most wins of any active coach.

Sparks, 72, had continued coaching even after announcing in 2012 that he had cancer.

"Every day is a celebration,'' Sparks said Monday. "I am at peace with this decision.''

Before Carson-Newman entered the NCAA ranks in 1993, Sparks led the Eagles to five NAIA national championships -- in 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1989. Carson-Newman was an NAIA runner-up in 1987 and lost in the NCAA Division II championship game in 1996, 1998 and 1999. Carson-Newman reached the Division II semifinals in 2009.

Sparks' teams won 21 South Atlantic Conference championships and earned 25 NCAA or NAIA playoff appearances.

Carson-Newman went 4-7 this year, only the second losing season in Sparks' career.

ESPN


Just figured this man deserved his own thread. Sad to see him step down, but definitely not surprised. I think it's fair to say this man has given it his all. He was the winningest active football coach in the NCAA.

More quotes;

Sparks coached through painful treatments for four years, but he said a recent hospitalization made his decision for him.

"I realized I wasn't a very good coach," he said of missing practice for four days while he was in the hospital. "These guys deserve better."

:cray::cray::cray:

He's what this game should stand for in terms of a human being, and impacting the lives of many individuals," Jones said. "We always talk about being a champion, he's a champion in every sense of the way, and our friendship means the world to me."

Butch Jones

You can watch his announcement here at the bottom. Really heart-wrenching stuff to watch. What a great guy. Football is going to miss him.

Thanks for everything Mr. Sparks! :hi:

 

[Volunteer_Kirby]

Sorry just saw the other thread. feel free to merge-doze!